Automatic lubricating mechanism



Feb. M, H33. R. L.. PATE, JR

AUTOMATIC LUBRICATING MECHANISM Filed Aug. '5. 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR P06 er/L es PafcJl:

ATTORNEY Feb. 131, R936. R. L. PATE, JR

AUTOMATIC LUBRICATING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 5, 1955 INVENTOR Qober/Lee Pa/zs ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 11, 1936 Appl-ica'tion August 5,

.11 Claims.

The present mvention relates tolubricating iievices,"-with particularrference to meansfor the lubricationrof moving equipment, such astravelimg ohainsj-ineludin'g "trunnionroll-er assemblies and the likeg-an'clthe primarypbd eotinview' is to prowl'de a novel andpractical'meohanismfor the effioientlubrication or such moving parts"dui"ing the normed-*movemen t of the same and-wi'thout disturbing the operative funotions er "theequipment being so lubricated.

Accordingly; l have'devised anovel and; flicient lubrieating mechanism which is adapted. to he assooiated 'in-"connection with equipment "of the character indicated, such as travelling -chain's, and moved into "and- "outof lubricating position, adjacent 'to*the= pathof travel" of the ehain and actuated automat-icallyfore'flecting' thelubric'atingoperation, when such "operative position, by the-power 'oreenergy "derivdfrm" the moving chain itself. "By t-he -construction 'provide'df'the travelling movementfo-f the 'chaiIrprodueesnot only the operative movement or "the lubricating means for' transferring the llib ricant'to the Chain, but *also i the necessary 1pressureWith "Whieh the lubricant is"f ed tothe 'thain;"although'other pressure means may be used if desired.

A further important feature of the "improvements is the provision of meanswherebytheiubrioating' operation may be carriedoutei'ther with Chainsef difierent piteh, or i even Chains having a varying pitch, such as may be caused'by stretch or wear.

In theeon'struction herinillustrate'd, this'object is accomplished. by providing a predetermined point of operative engagement of the chainwith the lubricatingfdeviee, regardless of the length of the-lubricating intervals-or distances-between the points-'on-i the main to be='lubrieated, "the" meehanism thus automatically -timing itself "and the successive lubricating operations in accordance withthe-spaces leet-Ween the -'points to be lubricatedalon'g the "travelling "ehain' with which 'the mechanism is being used.

#A 1 still "further feature of =the improved construction is 1 that which compensates *for "slight va-ria-tions' in theohain 'fittingsfroma= givempath of horizontal-travel.

-'As one 'p raotical means or construc'tionforac- 'compiisl iing these' obj eots,' l? illustrate hereirr'both rotary arfd oscillating types of lubricating-methanisms, adapted *either for intermittent rotary movement 1 between successive lubricating steps, or for intermittent"pivotal-"or swingingmovement for effecting the successive kilori'cating operations, eaeh *type of k construction, however, providing 1933, 'Seiiil N0. 368 35785 (Cl.I184-15) means-Tor aeclnately? positioning-"the meehanism atter eaeh lubricating aetion, fofinsuiingproper operative engagement v'oitfithe ehainforthe'next succeeding step of. the lubrication.

Withihe* foregoingegeneral objects in view; as well 'as *vaiiousmiinor objeets as appear in the course of theiitaiie'd spetification i the invention wil1=now be describd -withreference' to tne 'accompanying tlrawings illustrating typicar embddiments oi oonstructiom-whieh lhave deirised 1 'for aoeemplishing theseveral purposes ofthefim vention, after wiiich those features 'arid' combinationsdeemed to be novelvi ill be* particularly set ferth arid iaimd.

hr the-drawings- Figuredisaverticaliseetiorial viewishovvimgrone form of "construe tioneembodymg the mvention;

"Figure"?isea fwlan i iewofithesamawvithfaport-ion of 'the 'frame woi'k arfd" lubricant receptacle broken away;

Figure 3 is a horizontal seotional"view,'*representinga section takenf'on the line"3'*3"of Figure 1, butshowin'g"difierent'operative'positions'of'the parts aridwpoitiomfit the trameworktnmitted;

Figure isfaIronteleVatiOn ofthe'device; Figure 5 is-awei'ticaFsetionm'zview showinga modifietflorm oreonstruotion;

RigureG isariilan"viewpfthe'same" (the *cover of thelubricant"receptaeie "being'oxnittdr Figureiis 'a'verticak'seotionalview showinga further modified orrotary 'type -of -construction and representing "a"secti'onitaken .on" the linell fifiF'igur3;

I Figure "9 showsrwmoiiifledfom or "positioning and; retaining; means forthe lubficatingmember.

Rferringuiow ito ':sai"d"drawings"indetaiLi'and more particularly toTiginves 1 4 ineru'sive, these views" illustrate the I improvements as embodied in"an"oscillating typefoftconstruotionicomprising 4 a'single lubricatirig device whiehfismounteddor swinging'movemexit about a vertical-axis'within aframe whieh' is permitted a :certain "degreepf vertical icompensatingm'ovement ?as"hereinafter explained. Forthishpurposefliprovide an :open Tramamen'ibeflfl 'having anzupper bearingpportion I 2 and: a lower? bearing ["41 in verticalalinement, rand fitted with rsuitableibushings l3 :and l foriaccommodatingfthetnpper' and lowert'journals l6,f1,"ofithefovlinder F8 comprisingithe 5 principal Toperatingunexfibeniror' what "I may tem the "hibricatmg **gun-"'1'or"producing thenecessary feeding movement as wellfas'pressuredisharge ofth' lubricant irfthiubricatingoperation. The cylinder 'f8=isformed"withan interior there and 43 to the frame [0. I V maintainedin continuous feeding communication ,with the duct 46, while in no way interfering with will be readily understood.

an interior bearing 20 for the inner end of a sliding plunger tube 2|, the outer end of which tube slidingly engages a cap 22 fitted to what may be termed the front end of the cylinder and serving as a closure for the chamber 24; this chamber has a vent 23 and comprises the front end portion of the cylinder bore and also houses the enlarged portion 25 of said plunger tube 21, which serves as a shoulder for engaging a coil spring 26 encircling the plunger tube between said shoulder 25 and the bearing 20. The rear end of the plunger -tube fits slidingly in a central passage 21 formed in a block 28 occupying the rear end of the cylinder bore and also cored out to provide a lubricant-receiving space 30 communicating with said passage 21 by way of a valve port 32 controlled by a ball check valve 33 retained in position by a suitable pin 34. The rear end of the cylinder is fitted with a cylinder cap 36 formed with a central boss 31 fitting the cylinder bore and engaging said block-28-for maintaining the inner end of the latter in compressing engagement with suitable packing 38 which is seated against the bearing 20.

In the top of the cylinder I8 is also formed a lubricant duct 40 communicating with the space 38 and also extending up through the journal l6 as well as through a reduced vertical extension it from said journal which is projected within a bearing formed in the bottom of the lubricant reservoir or receptacle 42; a packing gland 43 is provided for said extension. I6 and held in place by a cap nut 44. The receptacle 42 is provided with a suitable cover 45 and is held in supported relation to the shoulder 46 on the journal l6 by means of a bracket finger 4! attached by a screw Thus the receptacle 42 is the turning movement of the cylinder upon its trunnions i 6| I. v

The frame 10 is supported for a limited degree of rocking movement by means of pivotal mountings comprising pins 50' connecting depending lugs 51 at the rear of the frame with upstanding lugs '52 carriedby an adjustable base plate 53.

'Atthe front of the frame [6 is provided a pair .of suitable buffer springs 54 seated above and below the front margin of the frame and retained by a bolt 55 and adjusting nut 56, whereby they are connected with the front margin of the base plate 53, which is formed with a seat 51 for the lower spring 54. This construction'enables the frame ill to rock sufliciently for compensating for variations in the horizontal line of travel of the chain; and, for adjusting the frame and its support toward and from the chain, 'a sub-base 58 is provided for the plate 53 andconnected therewith by means of bolts 60 extending through slots 6! in said plate and retained by suitable washers 62 and nuts 63; at the rear of the subbase 58 is provided a lug" 64 threaded for an adjusting screw 65, one end of whichis retained by means of spaced collars 66 in rotative engagement with alug 61 at the rear edge of the plate 53, the other end of said screw being formed with a suitable operating handle 68.

Thus by operation of the handle 68 the lubricating mechanism maybe, advanced or retracted into, and out of operative position, or suitably adjusted as required for making the necessaryoperative engagement withfthe 'ch'ain'fittings, as

.Theplunger tube 2[ is formed-with a central l b a duct Open ei-beihse ls "and h v a ball check valve H near its outer end, held normally closed by a coil spring 12, which spring is retained in position by a suitable nipple or lubricant discharge element 13 screwed on to the end of the tube 2|. This element 13 is designed to make effective operative and lubricant-communicating contact with the fittings 14 which are provided on the ends of the pins 15 forming parts of the chain 16 and roller 11 assemblies, and having the ducts 78 for distribution of the lubricant throughout the roller trunnion structureas illustrated in Figure 1.

The elements 14 may also be provided with spring-actuated check valves 88, the two valves H and 86 preventing waste of the lubricant by dripping when said fittings are disengaged. As shown, the contacting faces of these fittings 73 and 14 are of male and female design for effective engagement in the lubricant discharge operation, and permitting a limited degree of sliding or wiping contact as required, as they travel together in unison during said operating interval; obviously, it is immaterial which of each pair of the fittings is of the male and which of the female type. The fittings for both the lubricator and chain are shown as detachable, therefore interchangeable, in order to permit use of the design of fitting best adapted for the type of chain or apparatus to be lubricated.

Secured to the cylinder 22, as by means of a screw BI, is an attachment 82 having a recessed margin 83 engaging the journal I 6, and provided with a plurality of arms 84 projecting angularly at each side of the cylinder for the purpose of attaching a pair of coil springs 85, in the relation illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the outer ends of the springs being attached to fixed lugs 88 at the outer sides of the frame member 10. These springs operate to return the cylinder to its initial position of rest shown by the full lines in Figure 3, after each operation as produced by the movement of the chain after engagement of the fittings 13 and 14, as represented in Figures 1 and 2 and by the dotted lines in Figure 3. The provision of the two pairs of arms 84 enables the inner ends of the springs to be shifted in order to reverse the spring action in accordance with the direction of travel of the chain. I

A stop pin 86, provided with a suitable buffer 81 for engagement with the side of the cylinder 22 may be provided for limiting the return movement of the latter, said pin being threaded for attachment to either side of the frame member Ill, and also provided with an adjustable clamping 'nut 89.

As a further means for stabilizing said return movement of the cylinder, a spring element 96 is attached by screws 9! to the frame I D in position for the terminal stirrup portion. 92 at the free end of the spring to engage with the rod 21 in its initial position of rest, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Thus, the spring 90 serves to prevent any rebound of the lubricator at the end of each lubricating operation, and likewise functions as a. positioning means which under some conditions may render the stop pin 86 unnecessary. It will also be understood that neither the stop nor thespring 98 is an indispensableelement where two springs 85 are employed, since such springs will return the lubricator to a given initial position; whereas, a single spring 85 may effectively operate the device in conjunction with a stop 86, though preferably combined with the spring element 98.

In the operation of the construction above described, the-device is mounted in positionalong- -side: the pathiofx travel :oflthe chain, as illustrated, andaadjusted to "locaterthe nozzletofzthetgunxin aexact .gposition .1 for proper iengagement with the chain 1 fittings Z1 4 :at an *angle :thereto, vapproxizmatelyras :illustrated: in "F'igure =3. .The 1 flow :of a lubricant from. the: "reservoir through the passage 40 \into-. the:,gun is maintained :by the combined a act-ion -.of :gravity and athe .suctional action t prel- .ducedbyrtheigunfis operation, the-'outwardmovermentcof' the; plunger. of course acting toopen the check-valve 33' and admitlubricant. into the. space :21 and the bore of the plunger. -On' engagement of the fittings 13-14. and-continuedmovement :oftherchain in the. direction of: the arrow (Figures 2-3) an oscillating or pivotal movementis iimparted to the gun, disengaging it from the ';spring.:-90 and swinging it into the. positlonzshown zbyithe dotteddinesin-Fi'gure 3,:in oppositionito sthe pullof the upper *spring 85. The first half of :this movement, from initial position intothe position shown in -Figures l and 2;:producesaninward Lon retracting movement of theplunger against the :action of :spring 26, which automatically closes tthe valve 33.and forces :open both the valves I I iand fifl, thusallowing theJubricant to be discharged from thegun into the. chain. fitting. 'As the chain travels and thereby moves the parts into the position shown by the dotted linesiinFigure ;-3,; said' valves '1 lands-8B are automatically closed :by means-of their. springs 'to', prevent any loss of the grease by dripping, and the continued travel "of the. chain finally releases-the gun, which is then automatically returnedby its springs'intoinitial position. Also afterpassing the position shown in Figure 2, while the gun in still travelling in the directioneof the arr0w"-in Figures '2 and 3, the .spring :26 imparts an outwardmovement to the ;plunger,-resulting;.in opening of the valve 33 and .a" new-flow of grease to the gunby the combined action .of'-suction and= -gravity, .as will be readily mnderstood.

vAny'irregularity in thetravel of the: chain, deviating fromfa true horizontal line, will of course betaccommodated by the pivotal mounting ofthe frame ID carrying the gun. It may. also bemen- .tioned that the operation of the lubricatingdevice would. be. the. same. regardless of how. the lubricant is supplied :thereto, and-while the. reservoir is -showni-asa convenient; part of the assembly; it is altogether immaterial how. the lubricant. is fed to .thegpassage-Ml; as this may be connected withnany :source of supply,- including pressure meansnif desired.

:Referring now to the. form of-illustration shown :inrFiguresrB andG, these views show the lubricant receptacle 42 "-as mounted directly upon the frame :Illr'and thelatter merely provided withza sliding adjustment upon:the baselplate 58".by virtue of the bolts 60 -andthe.-:slots-6I, together with the operating; screw 65., ansomewhat different arrangement beingprovided foraccommodatingthe gunitoirregularities in the chain's travel; as follows.

.Theicylin'der' I8 iszcarriedrby an upright sup porting member :93 whichr-ismounted for-both apivotal andzrocklng'movement as provided by the spherical :bearing s91 :between .the lower .end of 'saidr member :and the base of 1 the frame: Ill. the square upper end of said; member projects through a guide opening94' inascircular'block' 94 resting :on a; shoulder. inna .circular opening. 96 in :theupper portionof the frame I0,-said1.b-lock beingxprovided' with a: pairqofr coil. springs: -98 .engaging opposite sides of the member 93,. and re- :tained by suitable; pins -99. .The member 293 .is

formed withsa transversexropening I00 :receiving the :cylinder 1 I8 x-which is 'sshouldered at :IOI aagainstzone side of the=zmember and-securedin :saidscap. holdingithezblock i8. iniplace;withlthe inner zendzthereof engaged .with suitable packing "38.. lntthis:casesalsoiIIshowthetcover-AB' of the. receptacle ".42 'cequippedmrith a. suitable .com-

.pressedetair inlet 3 I- Illewhereby the supply of .lubricantsmay ;be:maintained1under:a correspond- I ingpressure.

.The rrear send "portion ;of .the cylinder I8 'is .fitted with 'sa .:clamping':ring t I. I2 and screw I I3 forithe attachment .csr a coiltsprin'g '85 which is secured iby'ran :i'adiusting screw =I' I 5 'Ito zone side .of'f'thecframe 1 I.0', .wherebyithe:gun; is maintained in: its initial :position :against :::a stop :buifer 81,

earrdmeturnedfito that position after'ieach lubrircating :operation, TEES Lin t the preceding construction. .;If .desired,:the5spring 590'maysalso be .em- I played; in this:constructi0nff0r;serving :the same functions :as :"already :explained in connection therewith.

The operation of this form of the constructioni is in an sessentialz-respects the same as that .outlined1 above& in connection withtthe i first type, Fan'dIneedrnotberepeatedl inrdetail;'Lthe structural .variatienfloeingmerelyithatrequired" for:supporting i'the llubri'cant supply :in :fixed position, .and at thessame time: adapting :the lubricating gun to'rexecuteall.necessaryimovements.independently of :said lubricant ssupply, as permitted by 'the flexible hose connection I: I 05. .This: modification .furtherillustrates theeadaptability .of the device for .use with only one.operatingspringior effecting the :return movement :of I. the gun .:after each lubricating-t operation.

In.-.Figures"'7: and? 8 .is: illustrated "a"rotary 1 type .of .constructioniprovidingz a: plurality of lubricating, gunsimounted' for intermittentirotary movement in .oneiiirection-zifor the successive lubrication of the parts:ofrtheztravellingichain. In this construction the .bottom :of :the lubricant container 'I2Il1isIformedwith .a hub extension I2! mounted upon 'an :upright supporting member I22 which, in: turn, is: mounted for: both pivotal =andrrocking movement as provided byxaispherical bearing I23. inita base I24; theeupper end of the :supporting member "I22 :projects through the :cover .I25 -of'ithe Jcontainer :into a .top bearing I block .IZGJfittedainWa guide ls2'l between a pair of coil springs: l28gprovi-ded withi adjusting screws :I'30,;.al1:arranged'zin the upper portion of the frame I0", as:il1ustrated:inli2-igure 77. The hub extension I2I is provided with ".3, 't'plurality ."of spaced radial: socketsI32- which are threaded for the mounting iof .thethreaded-ends'zof a series of cylinders I33 having hollow. plungers I34 actuated norm-allyputward by.:coil springs I35 to present :the inozzleielements I36 I (of 1 any :desired type) on the outer ends of the hollow plunger stems I 31 in position for engagement with appropriate fittings I38, carried by the parts of the chain.

The hub extension I 2I is further provided with a vertical passage I40 having radial outlets I II fitted with suitable check valves I42 for controlling communication with the various cylinders I33; suitable lubricant ducts I43 may also be provided in the support I22 for feeding lubricant to its bearings (see Figure 7). As in the other forms of construction, a spring 90 is so located as to successively engage and retain the stem I3'I of one of the plungers (preferably the one which is about to be operated) in position for proper engagement with the chain fittings, as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 8.

The principal of operation of this type of construction is the same as in that of the others, with the exception that the series of guns are actuated by the movement of the chain to bring the guns, by an intermittent rotary movement in the same direction about the axis of the support I22, into position for successive engagement and operation by the chain fittings for effecting the lubricating action. This action takes place as before, by retraction of the plungers, their outward movement drawing the lubricant into the cylinders past the valves I42, thence into the hollow plungers, whereupon opposite movement of the plungers, as produced by the thrust imparted from the chain, expels the lubricant through the engaged fittings I35I38 into the parts of the chain. The method of mounting the lubricators and reservoir provides. a unitary and compact construction, and affords the same advantages as regards compensating for variations in the chains travel as in the other forms of the device.

In Figure 9 I illustrateia modified form of device for yieldingly retaining the lubricator in initial position between successive lubricating operations, which comprises a sprocket-shaped cam I secured'to-one of the journals ll of the gun and engaged by a roller-follower I5I carried by a pin I52 slidingly mounted in a fixed guide I53, enclosing an actuating spring I54 and suitably secured by fastenings I55 to the frame I0.

It will thus be apparent that I have provided a construction which is useful and practical for the efficient and automatic lubrication of moving equipment of the character indicated, and requires no power for its operation other than that derived from the movement of the parts which are being lubricated; all that is required is to locate the device in operative relation to the chain, which may be done while the chain is in motion, and no further'attention is thereafter required on the part of the attendant; and thereafter the device may be removed and applied to another chain in the same manner. The pressure with which the lubricant is fed to the chain is .limited only by the chain drive, hence if there is resistance due to clogging of the lubricating passages of the chain, this will in practically all cases be overcome by the pressure derived from said drive in the operation of the device, since there is practically no escape for the lubricant except to the chain during each operating interval;

Besides being entirely automatic in its operation, after beingonce adjusted to the chain and its line of travel, it will be observed that the self timing feature of this operation does not depend upon the pitch of the chain being uniform, since the initial position of the lubricating gun (particularly in the first two forms of construction) is constant, being set for proper engagement with the chain fittings regardless of the space intervals between them; hence the construction will operate unfailingly with chains of varying pitch due to stretch and wear, as well as with different chains of entirely different pitch. The different forms of construction further provide, as already noted, for all ordinary irregularities as regards the travel of the chain, where these produce deviation from a rectilinear line of travel, which are compensated for by the rocking or oscillating character of the supporting structure.

I am aware of the fact that various types of lubricating devices have been devised and used for the purpose of automatically lubricating chains and the like, including some rotary types of lubricators, but the various features above pointed out are believed to be novel in this relation; and while I have illustrated and described what I now regard as the most practical method of embodying in practice the improved features of my invention, I desire to reserve the right to make Whatever changes or modifications may fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim to be new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent 1. Apparatus for lubricating moving equipment having spaced lubricant-receiving fittings, comprising a movable lubricating device in position for engagement by said fittings and operated by the travel thereof for feeding lubricant to the fittings, and means acting automatically between successive lubricating operations to set and latch said device comprising a stop element for limiting the return movement of the device into a predetermined position for operative engagement by said fittings and also a spring element operative by wiping engagement with said device to prevent any rebound thereof from said predetermined position.

2. Automatic lubricating mechanism for travelling chains and the like, comprising a movable lubricating device in position for engagement by spaced portions of the chain and operated by the travel thereof to discharge lubricant to the chain, a spring member acting automatically between successive lubricating operations to return said device to a fixed predetermined initial position in readiness for the next operative engagement, and means providing selective points of attachment of said spring member to said device for swinging the latter in either of two opposite directions to initial inoperative position in accordance with the direction of travel of the chain.

3. Apparatus for lubricating moving equipment, comprising a movable lubricating device actuated by successive engagement with spaced lubricating points on said equipment for feeding lubricant thereto, supporting means mounted for rocking and compensating movement of the device for accommodating irregularities in the movement of said equipment, and means for-automatically latching said device in position for operative engagement with the equipment between successive lubricating operations.

4. Automatic lubricating mechanism for travelling chains and the like, comprising a movable lubricating device actuated by successive engagement with spaced lubricating points on the chain for feeding lubricant thereto, and supporting means providing for rocking movement of the device about an axis substantially parallel with the line of travel of the chain to permit compensating movement of said device for accommodating deviations of the chain from the straight line of travel thereof.

5. In combination with a travelling chain or the like, lubricating fittings carried at spaced intervals by said chains, a pivotal device having a reciprocating plunger fitted with a discharge nozzle in position for operative engagement with said fittings and actuated by the travel thereof to feed lubricant to the chain, and yielding means adjustable for swinging said device in either of two opposite directions to an initial position of rest depending upon the direction of travel of the chain.

6. In combination with a travelling chain or the like, lubricating fittings carried at spaced intervals by said chain, a pivotal device mounted for rocking movement about an axis substantially parallel with the line of travel of the chain and having a reciprocating plunger fitted with a discharge nozzle in position for operative engagement with said fittings and actuated by the travel thereof to feed lubricant to the chain, means for returning said device to initial position after each lubricating operation, and a spring device operative to frictionally latch said pivotal device in a predetermined position of rest.

'7. In combination with a travelling chain or the like, lubricating fittings carried at spaced intervals by said chain, a pivotal device mounted for rocking movement about an axis substantially parallel with the line of travel of the chain and having a reciprocating plunger fitted with a discharge nozzle in position for operative engagement with said fittings and actuated by the travel thereof to feed lubricant to the chain, means for returning said device to initial position after each lubricating operation, and a spring member mounted in the path of movement of said device and operative to engage and latch said plunger in position for operative engagement with said chain fittings.

8. In combination with a travelling chain or the like, lubricating fittings carried at spaced intervals by said chain, a pivotal device having a reciprocating plunger fitted with a discharge nozzle in position for operative engagement with said fittings and actuated by the travel thereof to feed lubricant to the chain, yielding means for returning said device to its initial position, positive stop means for limiting said return movement of the device, and a leaf spring element located in position for engagement with said plunger for latching the same against said stop means.

9. Automatic lubricating mechanism for travelling chains and the like, comprising a supporting member mounted for rocking movement about an axis substantially parallel with the line of travel of the chain, and a lubricating device carried by said supporting member and mounted for swinging movement thereon in a direction approximately conforming to the path of the chains travel, said device having means for successive engagement with spaced lubricating points on the chain.

10. Automatic lubricating mcehanism for travelling chains and the like, comprising a base member, a supporting member carried by said base member and mounted for rocking movement thereon about an axis substantially parallel with the line of travel of the chain, a lubricating device carried by said supporting member and mounted for swinging movement thereon in a direction approximately conforming to the path of the chains travel, said device having means for successive engagement with spaced lubricating points on the chain, and means for reciprocating said supporting member for regulating the distance between said lubricating device and the path of the chain.

11. Automatic lubricating mechanism for travelling chains and the like, comprising a movable supporting member, a lubricating device carried by said supporting member for movement therewith adjacent to the path of travel of the chain and in the plane of said travel, said supporting member being mounted for rocking movement for permitting said lubricating device to conform to irregularities in the chains travel, and lubricating means carried by said device for successive engagement with spaced lubricating points on the chain.

ROBERT LEE PATE, JR. 

